Uefa warns Roma as fears for fans mount

Tuesday 1 April 2008 07.43 EDT
First published on Tuesday 1 April 2008 07.43 EDT

As Manchester United fans started to arrive for tonight's Champions League quarter-final with Roma, Uefa warned that the city might be stripped of the right to host next season's final if there are any more stabbings.

"There has been great progress made inside Rome's Olympic Stadium but the attacks one kilometre from the stadium worry us," said the Uefa spokesman, William Gaillard.

"The police say they cannot control the city and that is not satisfactory. If we see a repeat of what we have seen so far it may be wise to move the 2009 Champions League final from Rome. Knifings are attempted murder. We cannot be held hostage by a few criminals."

Twelve United fans were stabbed when they visited Rome for last season's quarter-final, and dozens of others were injured inside the stadium when they were baton-charged by police. Another five supporters were stabbed when United returned to Rome in December.

"No one wants to see it happen again," Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, said from the team's hotel on the outskirts of the city. "After our previous experiences it is a concern. We hope it's a good, competitive game and there's rivalry among the fans because there's nothing wrong with that. But so long as it just stays to rivalry."

About 4,000 United fans will be in Rome and the club have written to ticket-holders warning them of areas to avoid. "Apart from Manchester's fans, Real Madrid supporters were also stabbed here in February and their buses were stoned, even after they had been kept back in the stadium two hours after the game," said Gaillard.

Roma's coach, Luciano Spalletti, said the club's supporters would stay out of trouble. "I have a lot of faith in our fans, who have come to understand the danger of bad behaviour," he said.

However, the midfielder Daniele De Rossi admitted being worried. "It's not easy to say to someone who wants to carry a knife that they should change their ways and stop. I just say this to our supporters: 'We give you a good football team so give us a stadium with emotion and feelings but, please, no violence.'"

A sizeable presence from Greater Manchester police is here to work alongside the carabinieri in controlling the fifth meeting between these clubs in a year.

United have had the edge so far, most notably in a famous 7-1 victory at Old Trafford last April, but Roma have beaten and drawn against them here, and a difficult night is guaranteed against Serie A's second-placed club.

"Manchester United are the best team in the world," said Spalletti. "They are a very, very good side but it is a long time since they had an important win away from home. They are fantastic at Old Trafford but not so good away. They never dominate away matches. And we want to avenge that 7-1 score."

United have injury doubts over three players - Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick - but Edwin van der Sar is fit. Meanwhile, Gary Neville last night completed 90 minutes for Manchester United reserves in their 1-1 draw against Newcastle United as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.